Shanghai Clone Wars: Great Wall Florid Bonds Scion xA with Toyota Yaris

One of the most eye-popping examples of car-cloning at this year's Shanghai Auto Show is the Florid hatchback from China's Great Wall Motors. What's surprising about the Florid is the fact that it actually copies the design of two vehicles, bonding in a uniquely Chinese way, the body of a Scion xA to the front end of a current generation Toyota Yaris. Inside, the Chinese automaker preferred to keep things simple, maintaining the original Scion xA's dashboard layout.

The driving force behind the Yaris and xA "inspired" subcompact hatch is a Great Wall Motors developed 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 87 horsepower and a maximum torque of 115Nm. For the 2009MY - or so to say, Great Wall Motors extened the Florid's range with the introduction of more powerfull 1.5-liter engine with 105HP.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

2006 Scion xA

2010 Scion xB Receives New Audio System, Prices Remain Unchanged

It's that time again, you know, when automakers release their so-called '2010MY' cars in the States. For Scion that translates to the 2010 xB which is exactly the same vehicle as the 2009MY with the difference that it is upgraded with an all-new standard 160-watt Pioneer audio system, which fortunately for buyers, comes with no increase to the car's base price that remains at $15,750 (MSRP) when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, and $16,700 for the four-speed automatic with sequential shifting.

Furthermore, Scion is introducing a new color for the 2010 xB, the Crimson Mica, which replaces the Blackberry Crush Metallic while also new for the model year is an optional Alpine Premium audio unit that's navigation and back-up camera ready. The 2010 xB will arrive at Scion's dealerships later this month.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

VIDEO: Woman in Scion Drives Officers Crazy in High-Speed Pursuit

We've watched many weird high-speed police chases on TV but this one has to be one of most ridiculous we've seen so far. The female driver of the Scion xB who at some point exited her car to verbally confront the officers, drove the Japanese 'hatchbox' in circles on the highway for a good amount of time before the cops managed to corner her and end the pursuit in the Rancho Santa Margarita area in Orange County, California. Luckily, no one was hurt or injured during the pursuit. Hit the jump to watch the video.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Video: Scion's Bad Ass iQ Concept on Film

This aggressively styled 'little' concept car is Scion's version of the Toyota iQ micro subcompact that is already on sale in several key international markets including Japan and Europe. For its American debut that was staged at the New York Auto Show, Toyota chose to go with a widebody customization theme that was executed by Five Axis. Officially speaking, the Japanese firm has yet to reveal when, or if the iQ will make it to the U.S., but word has it that it will hit this side of the Atlantic in the early 2010s.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Scion Reveals iQ Concept 'pimped' by Five Axis in New York: Gallery with 70 High-Res Photos

What you see here is in essence a tuner-modified version of Toyota's iQ minicar that is already sold in Japan and Europe, and it officially confirms the Japanese automaker's interest in importing the 3+1 seater in the States under the Scion moniker. Toyota's goal with the presentation of the modified iQ that would seem more fit for a show like SEMA than New York, was of course to demonstrate the vehicle's potential for personalization which is a typical feature of all Scion models.

"We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it's a Scion, you know it'll be easy to personalize."

The concept's design is the work of California-based tuner, Five Axis. Among other things, Five Axis 'decorated' the iQ with a wide bodykit, custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and high-intensity LED driving lamps. Interior upgrades includes illuminated door handles, iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas along with a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface.

For whatever reasons, Toyota decided to hold back on any mechanical upgrades with the iQ concept retaining the production version's 1.3-liter four-cylinder VVT-i petrol engine that produces an output of 100HP.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com